Farzad Sharif remembers celebrating Noe-Rooz, the Persian New Year, when he was a Penn State student 15 years ago.

This year Sharif returned to Penn State with his family and joined more than 150 people in celebrating the holiday Saturday night in HUB Heritage Hall.

"This is definitely a bigger event than it was when I went here," said Sharif, a 1990 graduate. "It's funny because I look around and see faces I haven't seen in 15 years."

The event, sponsored by the Iranian Student Association, allowed community members, staff and students to dress up and enjoy an evening of food, dancing and education about the country of Iran.

"I came back for good music and good food," Sharif said, laughing. "There's nothing better than Persian food."

Samira Khalili (graduate-chemical engineering) said the New Year focuses on celebrating rebirth and is celebrated on the first day of spring.

"It's an event that's been celebrated for more than 3,000 years," she said. "It's a big time for families to get together and take place in various traditions and events."

One of these traditions was found at the front of the hall, where various items, all symbolizing different values, sat on a table.

For example, goldfish could be found swimming in a bowl to represent life. A flowerpot filled with sprouts represented rebirth and a jar of dried lotus fruit represented love.

A table like this is found at every Persian New Year, even in family homes.

Bob Kalantari (senior-mechanical engineering) and Reza Saleh (senior-mechanical engineering) grew up celebrating the holiday in their hometown of Pittsburgh, but they decided this year to stay here and attend Penn State's celebration.

"I came because I was curious to see what was going on," Kalantari said. "It's a pretty big event in Pittsburgh that we grow up with, and lots of families get together to celebrate."

Saleh said the holiday revolves around symbolism. "Throughout the night, people will go up to the table in the front filled with objects to reflect on the New Year," he said.

During the celebration, many guests took family pictures behind the table filled with symbols. Some mothers were seen teaching their children about the meaning of each object, and others could be seen trying to keep little hands from poking the goldfish.

"I haven't been able to come in the past three years because of this little guy," Sharif said, pointing to his 3-year-old son. "Now we've brought him to celebrate with everyone and teach him our traditions."

As the festivities continued well into the night, the sounds of laughter and traditional Iranian music echoed through Heritage Hall.

"Tonight we came together to learn about our culture, celebrate our New Year and enjoy food and fun," Khalili said.